Track-bed construction and arrangement



March 6, 1928. 1,661,702

G. w. MULLER TRACK BED `CNSTRU'IIIOII AND ARRANGEMENT Filed Dec.A 1 19263 Sheets-Sheet 1 March Hs, 192s.

G. w. MULLER TRACK BED CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT Filed Dec. 1 1926VII/WWW /Il 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 6, 1928.

1,661,702 G. w. MULLER TRACK BED CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT Filed Dec.1 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet E54 Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE,

GEORGE Vif". MULLER, OF VJASIINGTOII, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TRACK-BED CONSTRUCTIOIT AND ARRANGEMENT.

Application filed December This invention relates to railway track andtrack bed construction and arrangement, and comprises a continuous`support for track rails composed of ties made troni any chosenmateria-l, plastic, wood, stone or metal having special torination anddisposition for the purpose ot increasii'ig the load resisting qualitiesof the bed and rails in order to withstand the material presentincreaseot' the weight of rolling stock and the probable continuedadditions to the saine in tuture.

Another object of this invention and a feature of the constructionhereinbelow set forth is the making ot the road-bed water-` proof, byshedding the water to both sides ot'y the track in order lio prevent thewater, snow or sleet 'troni seeping through top7 sides and under thevfoundation o'l the roadn bed and softening up the supporting grouinl orearth 0f theeinbanlnnent 'thereby permitting the ties to sink anddestroy the desired track level, and calling for repeated repairs.

Another object of: this invention is to provide a rail bed inade up of`a plurality ot ties, sills or bases, placed side by side closely ortouching each other and making a unitorin, continuous supporting hasefor the track.

Another object or" this invention isthe production of a rail bed of thecharacter stated composed ot associated individual ineinbers which maybe termed tics, sills or bases. of the special formation shown anddttribed, and laving the proper proportions as to thickness, length andwidth designed to withstand the great loads, pressures and impactspounding thereon during heavy service. v y

Another object of this invention lthe provision ot' a` bed nieniber otthe fashion and material set forth herein and adapted to receive anunder-rail support, or'to be used without such support. Under certaincircumstances the under-rail is ot very great advantage in inany ways,as itgives `additional support to each meinberacting as a carrier beainlongitudinally beneath the track rails.

Another object of' thisV invention is the construction of a `track railssupport or tie liaving a recessed under surface whereby the ballastisheld at the ends of the ties, and

1,1926. Serial No. 151,902.

forced by the pressure of the tratlic into contact withv the ties andprevented from displacement and spreading.

Another lobject of this invention the formation ot ties eachI having anarrower' end and a wider end wliereby they may be laideach tie reversedin position with respect to the adjoining tie to forni a straight trackbed, or placed in the saine way to rtorni curved portions oi theroadway.

With the above and other objects following lro'in them, this inventionconsists of certain original features ot' construction and arrangementas described in Vthe following explanation of the structure andoperation, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings showing thepreferred torni.

Utthe drawings Figure l represents a top plan View ot two `tiesconstructed in accordance with this invention, and arranged side by sidein contact. ',lhe vtrack rails are omitted. n Y

vFigure 2 is an end view of such associated ties, partly vin section Atodisclose the curving recess formed in the bottoni of each tie near itsend. p Figure 3 is a bottoni plan view ot the two inenibers or tiesillustrated in Figure l, and shows the formation of the underlyingportions o't' 'the ties. j

Figure t is a cross section of one oi" the tieson the broken line t-fl;of Figure 3, showing also in section the reinforcing clekments embeddedin the material otfwhich the tie is niade.- i y l `igure 5 is a.vertical transverse ysection ot theroadbed and rail pillow members. Thissection is taken between the ties, and illustrates the under-rails insection.

Figure 6 isa section of the roadbed` similar to Figure 5, but thesection extends longitudinally through the tie and discloses thereinforcing eleinents therein. rhe rails, tie plates and pillowinenibersyare shown in section.

Figure is a perspective view forcing elements placed lengthwise in eachtie. One ot. the side wooden` bars which augment the elastical stiffnessand deadeningy .of the rein-v straight direction and also more or lesscurved or ollset with respect to the original or normal line of therails.

Figure 9 is a side view of the end of one of the ties, and shows anadditional water .shed at the side of the track whereby the water is ledentirely away Vfrom the bed of the rails and caused to flow downwardlyand outwardly at the side of the ballast or filling. c

Throughout the description and drawings the same part is referred to bythe same number. i

Considering the drawings, the tie, base or sill member constituting thetrack rails support is referred to generally by the numeral 1. Asillustrated in Figure S, the members 1 each have a narrower end 2 and awider end 3, and the sides of the members are thus inclined to eachother. By reason of this formation the track bed may be laid either fora straight track by reversing the positions of the members with respectto each other, or by placing themside by side in the same relativepositions the track may be extended in a curving direction. On its uppersurface it has a middle flat portion 4 adapted to carry the track rails5. The flat portion or track rails carrying portion occupies the middleof the length and width of the member l, and on either side thereofsloping from a middle line both ways to the end of the member are thewater shedding inclines 6, 7, 8, 9. It will be noted in Figures l, 2, etand 5 that the water shedding inclines slope away from the tlat portionel transversely as well as longitudinally. The purpose is to direct allthe surface water ofi' the ends of the melnbers 1, and in Figure 9 anadditional water shed l() is illustrated. The form and position of thisadditional part is in no sense limited to the shape set ont in thedrawings. Asbest shown in Figures 1, 2 'and 4, the water sheddinginclines at the sides of the fiat portion 1 are bounded lengthwise byraised edges or beads 1l. It will be observed further in the Figures 2and 4 that the vertically disposed side portions of thefmcmber ldesignated by reference number 12 and leading downwardly from the beads11 are formed outwardly curving with a swell or slight oval in orderthat the pressure will not break oif the beads or upstanding portions.

Attention is Vdirected particularly to Figures 2 and 4 wherein it willbe seen thatthe continuations 13 of the side walls of the member 1 slantdownwardly and inwardly on either side at the end portions of themember. This formation results in the side recesses 14, and it will beobserved that the top portion or surfaces of the recesses 14 marked 15slant upwardly and towards the middle of the member 1 the inner limitsof the recesses being the transverse solid portion 16 of which the lowerside of cach membcr is provided with two, spaced apart in correspondencewith the width of the track, and usually joined by a longitudinal solidportion 17 as best shown in Figure 3. tween the side end recesses 14 atthe ends of the member 1 are formed the dishcd deprcs sions 1S. Thedepressions or hollows lta' arc best shown in Figures 2, and (5. Thesedepressions or concave bottoms 1&5 at each end of the member 1,beginning at the ends and back to the bearing portion where the memberrests on the undera'ails 19, have rounded corners on the bottom androunded corners on the outside edges, .so that when the tamping is donethe ballast or lill can be forced easily underneath, and rolled backinto the hollow or rounding portion in a hump, and when once tampcd inplace and the pressure of the trailic put on, the till cannot come out,because of the concave part of the tie hugging over the ballast and thefill in the pockets or depressions described.

As stated above the solid transverse portions 16 of the member 1 arespaced apart as illustrated in Figure 3, and between them on either sideof the longitlulinal solid bar shaped joining portion 17, are two partrecesses 2U and 21. Each of tinl reci-cs 2() and 21 is provided with asurface slanting upwardly and towards one of the transverse solidportions, so that when pressure is put on the top center the ballast orfilling will be forced outward and upward and back against thetransverse solid portions or shoulders 16.

Considering Figures it, (3 and 7. the reinforcing elements of thisinvention will be understood. Such elements comprise side truss rods 22and 23 connected at separated points by cross bars 24. The truss rodsare enclosed in a tubular netted opcnwork wire or metal device which hasan upper tial portion 26. a lower flat portion 27, and ouiwardly pointedangular side portions 2H and 29 joining the upper and lower fiat poriions. In addition lo these parts [here are urinalij.' introduced thedeadening or stitl'ening'bars 3() of wood or other selected materials.)liso rod 32 arranged below and extending ilul full length of said cover25. iv'hile the particular reinforcing elements just described embodythe preferred forms for use with this invention. it is not intended inany .sense to limit the construction to those forms.

In explanation of the operation of this invention, attention is directedto Figures 2. 3, 4, 5 and 6. The under rails 19 are ar-Y ranged withsuitable tie plates 31 on top of the rails beneath and against thetransverse solid portions 1G, and the members 1 are placed side by sideusually in contact. As illustrated in Figures 3 and l the side relfl and2l of adjoining members mme together and form pockets with their upperbfi loo

lio

`also serve to receive and to hold the ballast in place at the ends ofthe members. It is held to be ywithin the purview of this invention |`tosuitably calk the space between the beads 11 ot' adjoining members 1with any selected substance or cement. It is believed to be now clearthat I have described a continuous track bed which by reason ot theforms of the supporting` members 1 may be laid in a straight line or ina curving direction, and ythat all the surface water will be shed at theends of the ties, and the ballast held in place against `the movement inany direction by reason of the trattie pounding however heavy it may be.

To relieve the stress at centre of tie, and also serve as additionaldeadening means, clay or the like is interposed between the under-rail`s19, so that the ballast surrounds the bottom and sides of the clayliller.

1Having now described my invention, and explained the manner of itsoperation, I claiinz- 1. In railway track construction, a track supportcomprising a plurality of members constructed to be arranged side byside, each member being narrower at one end than at the other endwhereby said members may be respectively reversed to Aform straighttrack bed and arranged `each in theysa-me position with the narrowerends together to torni a curved bed, said members being relativelydisplaceablein a longitudinal direct-ion.

2. In a railway track construction, a track support comprising aplurality of members arranged side by side in touch one with another,each oit the said members having one narrower end and one wider endwhereby a continuous straight or a continuous curved track bed may beformed, said members being relatively displaceableina longitudinaldirection.

3. In a railway track construction, a track support comprising aplurality of members constructed to be arranged side by side, eachmember being narrower at one end than at the other end whereby eitherstraight or curved portions of the track bed may be formed, andunder-rails extending longitudi-` nally and .spaced apart beneath thesaid l members.

4t. In railwaytrack construction, a track comprising the upper rails,supporting members for the said rails each member having one end.narrower and one end wider whereby either straight or curved portionsofthe track may be formed, and under-rails ex tending longitudinallyVbeneath the said members and directly beneath the said track rails. y l

5. Inrailway track construction, as track support comprising a pluralityot' members placed in contact laterally and having flat topsurfaces,'and recessedunder surfaces, each of the said members havingone narrower end and one wider endA wlierebyeithei"y straight or curvedportions of the track may be formed thereby.

6. In railway track construction, a rail supporting member havingamiddle portion hat and substantially equal in length to the width ot thetrack, said member being adaptedA to be placed'in contactf laterallywith. an adjacent member and side portions sloping from va middle linein both directions to the ends of the said member. f

7. Inrailway track construction, a rail supporting member having yamiddle flat Vportionsubstantially equal in length kto the width of thetrack, side portions sloping from a middle line in both directions tothe ends of the said members, said member being adapted to be placed incontact laterally with an adjacent member and beads formed at thelongitudinal edges of the said sloping portions. v y

S. In railway track construction, a rail supporting member Khaving amiddle flat portion `substantially equal in length to the width of thetrack, and side portions sloping transversely downward towards the sidesot'r the said members and sloping downwardly in both directions from amiddle line to the ends ot' the said members, said member vbeing adaptedtoy be placed in contact laterally with an adjacent member.

9. In railway track construction, a rail supporting member having a fiatmiddle portion `substantially equal in length `to the width of thetrack, side portions slopingr from a middle line "in both directions tothe sides ofthe said members and,transversely `sloping 'from the saidlia-t portion to the sides vof the said members, said incml'ier beingadapted to be placed in Contact laterally with an adjacent member andbeads toi-med longitudinally at the side edges ot' the said slopingportions. t

10. In railway track constructioi'i, a rail supporting member havingamiddle portion Ill) tlat and substantially equal in length to the widthof the track, side portions sloping from a middlek line in bothdirections to the ends of the said member, said member being adapted ytobe placed in contact laterally with an adjacent member and a pluralityot cavitiesl formed in the under side of tlieisaid member. n i

11u/In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a memberhaving a middle portion substantially equal inlenrgth to theV widthoiiithe tracklto carry `the track `rails side iortions slo in@rdownwardl from 2 i i ,i i i a middle line to the ends of the saidmember, said member being adapted to be placed in contact laterally withan adjacent member and angular cavities formed in the under side of thesaid member below the said Hat middle portion.

1Q. In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a memberhaving a middle portion flat and substantiallyequal in length to thewidth of the track, said nicmber being adapted to be placed in contactlaterally with an adjacent member, side por tions sloping down vardlyfrom a middle line to the endsiof the member, and reinforcing devicesembedded in the said member.

13. In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a memberhaving a middie portion adapted to carry the track rails, said memberbeing adapted to be placed in contact laterally with an adjacent member,side portions sloping transversely and longi tudinally with respect tothe .said middle portion, and reinforcing devices comprising separableand relatively rigid and yielding f portions extending lengthwise withinthe said member.

il. In railway track construction. a rail support comprising a memberhaving a middle portion adapted to carry the track rails. .side portionssloping do\\'nwa1'dly from a middle line to the ends oi the member, andthe said member having one narrower end and one wider end and adapted tobe placed in contact laterally with an adjacent member.

l5. In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a memberhaving a middle portion adapted to carry the track rails, side portionssloping downwardly from a middle line to the ends ot' the member, thesaid member having one narrower end and one wider end, and the saidmember being provided with cavities fiormcd in its under side. v

lo. In railway track construction7 a rail support comprising a memberhaving a middle portion adapted to carry the track rails, side Iiortions sloping from a midle line to the ends ot the member, beadsvlormcd longitudinally at the'side edges of the said sloping portions,and the said member having one narrower end and one wider end andadapted to be placed in contact laterally with an adjacent member.

17. In railway'trackconstruction, a rail support comprising a memberharing a middle portion adapted to carry the track rails, portionsextending from a middle line of the member to the ends thereof andarranged at the sides of the said middle portion to conduct waterfalling thereon away from the saidk middle portion, and the said memberhaving one narrower end and one wider end and adapted to be placed inContact laterally with an adjacent member.

18. In railway track construction, a rail .support comprising a memberhaving a middle portion adapted to carry the track rails, water sheddingportions arranged at the sides of said middle portion, beadsextciidinLlr along the side edges oi the said member, and

the said member having one narrower end and one wider end and adapted tobe placed in contact laterally with an adjacent member.

li). In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a memberhaving a middle portion adapted to carry the track rails, watershedding' portions arranged at the sides ot' said middle portion beadsextending along the side edges ot the said member, the said memberhaving its vertical side surfaces adjacent to the said beads formedcurving.

20. In railway tack construction, a rail support comprising a memberhaving a middle portion adapted to carry the track rails, water sheddingportions arranged at the sides oi said middle iortion, the lower portionof the said member being less in width than the combined widths oi the.said middle portion and side water shedding portions.

2l. .In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a memberhaving a mid die portion adapted to carry the track rails, watershedding portions at the sides ol the said middle portion slopingtransverseli and longitudinally with respect to said middla portion,beads extending along the sido edges ot the said water sheddingportions, and the sides ot the said member vertically disposed adjacentto the said beads being oli' curved lorm.

22. In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a memberhaving a middle portion adapted to carry the track rails, sloping watershedding portions arranged at the sides of the said middle portion, thevertically disposed sides ol? the said member being curving in form, andthe said member having one narrower end and one wider cud.

i223. In railway track construction, a rail sujiport comprising a memberhaving a middie portion adapted lo carry the track rails, water sheddingportions arranged at the sides ol the .said middle portion and slopingin two directions therefrom, beads extending along the sides ot' thesaid member, the ver tically disposed side surfaces of the said memberbeing of curving form, and the said member having one narrower and onewider end.

In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a member'haring a 1niddie portion adapted to carry the. track rails, watershedding portions arranged at the sides ol` the said middle portion, theverlically disposed sides of the said member beinel curved outwardly in'form, the lower portion of the said member being less in width than thecombined widths ot' the said middle, and water shedding portions.

254111 railway track construction, a rail Sii lill

lli

support comprising a member having' a middle portion adapted to carrythe traclnrails, water shedding portions arranged at 'the sides ot thesaid middle portion, the verti cally disposed sides ol the said i'nemberbeing curved outwardly in form, the lower portion oi' the said memberbeing'less in width than the combined widths ot the said middle andwater shedding portions, and the said member having one narrower and onewider end. Y y i 26. In railway track construction, a rail supportcomprising a member formed of plastic material and having reinforcingdev'ces including side truss rods connected one to another at separatedpoints, and a fabricated mesh wire covering enclosing the said trussrods, the said covering having a flat portion at the top. and a flatportion at the bottom and outwardly extending angular portionsconnecting the said top and bottom portions. v i 2T. in railway trackconstructioina rail support comprising a memberiformed ot plasticmaterial and having reinforcing de- -vices including side truss rodsconnected together at separated points, a tubular covering oi wirenetting enclosingk the said truss rods, and stitl'ening bars arrangedlengthwise in the said tubular wire enclosures.

In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a member havingadistinctive cross section near the ends including` an upper middleflatportion, water shedding portions sloping downwardly -from the saidlist portion, vertically disposed curved sides, inwardly inclinedportions extending downwardly trom the said curved sides, and a lowerportion less in width than the combined wid hs of the -said liat portionan water'shedding portions. 2S). In railway track construction, a railsupport comprising a member having a distinctive cross section near itsends'including. an upper middle flat portion, water shedding portionssloping downwardly and outwardly trom the said flat portion, beadslocated at the outer edges ot' the said sloping portions, verticallydisposed outwardly curved y sides adjacent to the said beads, inwardlyinclined portions extending downwardly irom the said curved sides, and alower portion' less in width than the combined widths of the said flatportion and the said sloping portions.

30, In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a memberhaving an upper track rail carrying surface, and a lower portionprovided with a plurality of cavities, the said cavities being separatedby solid portions transversely disposed across the bottom of: themember, and longitudinal luider-rails arranged beneath the said memberin contact with the said solid transverse portions 3l. In railwayv trackconstruction, ay rail support comprising a member having an upper trackrail carrying surface and a lower portion provided with ar pluralityot'. cavities, the said cavities being separated by solid portionstransversely disposed across the bottom of the member, longitudinalunder rails arranged beneath the said member in contact with the saidsolid transverse portions, andthe said member having one narrower andone wider. end.

32. In railway track construction, the combination with longitudinalunder rails, ot' ties extending across and upon the said rails, thesaidties having dislied cavities in their lower surfaces located betweenthe said rails and the ends of the ties.

In railway track construction, a rail support comprising a member havingdished cavities in its lower surface near its ends,V the saidcavitiesbemg less 1n width than the y maximum width of the end of thesaid member, and the said member having recesses lformed at the sidesadjacent to the side walls ot the said cavities.

34. In railway track construction, a y 'all support comprising membersarranged closely side by side, said members having transverse solidlportions located j at ja distance trom the ends of the members,v saidmembers ,having recesses in their lower side edees c; i c C), betweensaid solid-portions and the ends ot said members'the tops ofsaidrecesses `inclining upwardly towards thesaid solid portions wherebywhen` two members .are together a cavity is formed, wherein ballastunder traiiic pressure is forced towards the said solid portions of themembers.

35. In railway Atrack construction, ak rail support comprising membersarranged closely side by side', said members having transverse `solidportions `located at a distance from the ends ofthe members, saidmembershaving recesses intheirlower side edges between 'the said solidportions and the ends o' said members and also betweenthe said solidportions, the tops ot the said recesses inclining upwardly towards,thesaid solid por# tions, whereby when two of the said members aretogether cavities are formed wherein ballast under traiiic pressure is'forced towards the said solid portions ot' the memill!) las formedwherein ballast is forced under tra l'- lic pressure towards the. saidsolid portions .of the. members, and each of the said menihers haring'between the Isaid recesses` a lished curity iu its under .surface nearthe end ot' the member.

Si'. In railway track construction, a rail support comprising;l membersar anged closely lside by side and haringIr transverse solid portionsspaced from the ends ot the members, the said members having cavities intheir lower surfaces formed wit-h upper walls inclining upwardly towardsthe said solid portions whereby ballast under tratic pressure is forcedtowards the said solid portions of the members.

38. In railway track construction. a rail support comprising membersarranged closely side by side and having transverse spaced solidportions joined by longitudinal solid portions. the said x'nembershavin;r cavities formed in their lower surfaces with upper wallsinclining upwardly towards the said solid portions whereby ballast undertraliic pressure is forced towards the said transverse and longitudinalsolid portions.

39. In a railway track construction, a track support 'comprising aplurality of members to be arranged side by side, each of said members`having its sides tapered continuously from one end to the otherthroughout the entire length of the meu1- bers, whereby said membersmaybe respectively reversed to form a straight track bed and arrangedeach in the same position with the narrower ends together to form acurved bed.

40. In a railway track construction, a track support comprising aplurality of members arranged side by side in touch, one with another,each of said members having its sides tapered continuously anduninterruptedly from one end to the other throughout the entire lengthof the member, whereby a continuous straight or a continuous curved,smooth and unbroken track support is formed.

41. Ina railway track construction. a

track support comprisil'ig a plurality of members having l'lat topsurfaces, recessed under surfaces and uninterrupted sides which taperfrom one end to the other throughout: the entire length ol'r themembers, whereby said members when placed in position, Contact;laterally throughout. their entire length, and whereby either straightor curved track portions may be formed.

42. In railway track constrluetion, a rail support comprising a memberhaving dished cavities in its lower surface, and recesses formed at thesides of said member adjacent to the dished cavities.

43. In railway track construction. a rail support comprising membersarranged side by side, said members havinf,Y recesses in their lowerside edges. whereby when two members are together a cavity lormedwherein ballast under traflic pressure i.-f forced.

All. In railway track construction. a rail ysupport comprising membersarranged side by side, said members having recesses in their lower sideedges, whereby when two members are together a cavity is formed whereinballast under traliic pressure is forced, and each of said membershaving between the. said recesses a dished cavity in its under surface.

45. In railway track construction, a rail support comprising,r a memberharing water sheddingr portions, and an additional water shed separatefrom but located at and coacting' with the ends of said member, wherebythe water is deflected entirely away from the bed of the rails andcaused to flow downwardly and outwardly at. the side of the ballast.

4G. In railway track construction, a raill support, and a water Ishedseparate from but located adjacent to and coactimr with the ends of saidsupport, whereby the water is caused to flow downwardly and outwardly atthe side of the ballast.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

GEORGE W. MULLER.

